The Stranger Part 2
We begin the story again as Jack is driving Jesse to his condo on the edge of town. It's a 1 bedroom, 1 bath, and semi-luxurious place. Jack enjoyed living here. It was away from the city noise and smell. He had a pool and a Jacuzzi out back for the hot summer days and cold winter nights. A nice kitchen and a cozy living room.
Jack pulls into his driveway, turns off his car and steps out of the driver's seat, closing the door behind him. He walks around to the passenger door and opens it. The cute young wolf is fast asleep in the seat. Trying his best not to wake him, Jack undoes the seat belt and picks up the young wolf. Jesse only stirred to curl up against Jack's chest and fell back asleep. Jack closed the passenger side door and walked up to his condo's front door. Jack was able to get his keys out, open the door, get inside, and close it, without waking the young wolf. He was surprised by himself.
He immediately took the young wolf to his bedroom and laid him down on his bed. Putting the blankets over him and turning on the heater, he whispered to the young wolf,
"Sleep well, Jesse. See you in the morning."
Jesse heard a faint voice say something to him, but he couldn't make out the words. He decided not to worry about it. If it had mattered, they would have awoken him to tell him. He drifted back to sleep and dreamed of happiness.
Jesse awoke to the delicious smell of eggs, bacon, and pancakes. A smell he'd never woken up to before. He slowly started noticing things that he hadn't seen at first. Like how he was in a bed, in someone's house, and it appeared as though the owner was in the kitchen, cooking. Jesse was afraid to see who's house he had stayed the night in, but he finally mustered up enough courage to get out of the bed and walk down the hallway. As he turned the corner the stranger that had "rescued" him last night greeted him.
"Good morning. You're just in time. I just finished breakfast," the stranger said happily.
"Umm...thanks" Jesse said.
"Your welcome. Did you sleep good?" the stranger asked.
"Uhh...yes? I'm sorry but I forgot your name. What is it?" Jesse asked.
"It's Jack. Jack Williams." Jack replied.
"Umm...hi. I'm Jesse. Jesse Heartney." Jesse said.
"Hello Jesse. Sit down. I'll make you a plate."
"Thanks again," Jesse said.
"Your welcome. Again." Jack said with a smirk.
Jack fixed a plate and set it in front of Jesse. He then made a plate for himself and took a seat across from Jesse. They ate in silence, since Jesse didn't really seem like talking.
They finished their food; Jack picked up the plates and took them to the sink. He decided he'd wash them later. He really wanted to talk to Jesse. So he walked back to Jesse and asked,
"Would you like to go sit in the living room with me?"
"Sure," Jesse said. Not wanting to refuse.
They walked into the living room. Jesse took a seat in Jack's large couch, while Jack sat in the chair across from him.
"I wanted to talk to you," Jack said.
"About?" Jesse asked. Fearing the answer.
"Last night. And other things." Jack said.
"Okay," he said. Clearly not wanting to talk about it.
Jack thought long and hard about the first question he should ask him.
"Where are your parents?" Jack asked.
"My dad's drunk most of the time. Can't take having a queer for a son." Jesse said with disdain. "My mom left when I was born. Haven't seen her since." Jesse said sadly.
"I'm sorry, Jesse" Jack said sadly.
"Yeah...." Jesse said distantly.
"Why were you on that bridge trying to end your life last night?"
"Well, apart from my parents, I came out to my friends about my sexuality and they all exiled me. They kept away from me after that. Never came near me. Those who use to sit next to me, changed seats. They stopped sitting with me at lunch. Didn't stand up for me when the school jocks found out about me. A couple of them actually joined in when they jumped me and beat me. Teachers don't try to stop them. So I'm basically alone in a place full of people who don't want me around." Jesse said. With a matter-of-fact tone. Trying to not show any emotion.
"I am truly sorry for you, Jesse. But you're not the only one who had to deal with those problems. I did too." Jack said.
"Really?" Jesse asked.
"Yeah. I'm gay too. I was picked on at school, had no friends, and I lived with my grandparents since my parents didn't want a faggot for a son. I dealt with the same problems as you" Jack said.
"How did you not end it?" Jesse asked.
"I tried," Jack said, " but every time I stepped on that ledge, or had that blade to my throat, or put that rope around my neck, I couldn't do it."
"Why not?"
"Because I knew one day it was gonna get better. All the pain would end. The sorrow would be gone. My heart would beat again. I knew my life would finally begin."
"Has it?" Jesse asked.
"It has. Last night, when I saw you on that bridge, my heart began to beat in my chest. It knew the pain you were in. It felt for you. It forced me to stop my car and save you. My heart told me to save you. That you were the one who would take all the bad things away. And you have."
"How have I done that?" Jesse asked.
"I don't quite know. But one thing I do know, I have to repay you for helping me, even if you don't know you did." Jack said. A kind and determined look on his face.
When Jesse saw this, he felt a weird feeling swell in his chest. It was strong and warm. It was something he had never felt before. He didn't know what to call it. All he knew was that he liked it.